STEERING COLUMN OPENING
COVER
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) If the vehicle is so equipped, move the tilt
steering column to the fully raised position.
(3) Remove the two screws that secure the steering
column opening cover to the instrument panel struc-
tural support (Fig. 15).
(4) Using a trim stick or another suitable wide
flat-bladed tool, gently pry the top of the steering col-
umn opening cover away from the instrument panel
on each side of the steering column far enough to dis-
engage the two snap clip retainers from their recep-
tacles in the instrument panel base trim.
(5) If the vehicle is so equipped, roll the top of the
steering column opening cover downward far enough
to access and disconnect the wire harness connector
for the headlamp leveling switch from the switch con-
nector receptacle.
(6) Pull the top of the steering column opening
cover rearward far enough to disengage the hinge
hook formations on the lower edge of the cover from
the hinge pins on the lower edge of the instrument
panel.
(7) Remove the steering column opening cover
from the instrument panel.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Position the steering column opening cover to
the instrument panel.
(2) Engage the hinge hook formations on the lower
edge of the steering column opening cover with the
hinge pins on the lower edge of the instrument panel
(Fig. 15).
(3) If the vehicle is so equipped, roll the top of the
steering column opening cover upward far enough to
reconnect the wire harness connector for the head-
lamp leveling switch to the switch connector recepta-
cle.
(4) Tilt the upper edge of the steering column
opening cover up and align the two snap clip retain-
ers on the cover with their receptacles in the instru-
ment panel base trim.
(5) Using hand pressure, press firmly on the steer-
ing column opening cover over each of the snap clip
locations until each of the snap clips is fully engaged
in its receptacle in the instrument panel base trim.
(6) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the steering column opening cover to the instrument
panel structural support. Tighten the screws to 2
N·m (20 in. lbs.).
(7) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
Fig. 15 STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER
REMOVE/INSTALL
1 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
2 - STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER
3 - HEADLAMP LEVELING SWITCH
4 - SCREW (2)
23 - 50
INSTRUMENT PANEL
TJ